Section 1:8–16

Micah mourned because an enemy army will invade Judah and take many people into exile

In 1:5, Micah mentioned the sins of the people in Samaria and Jerusalem. In 1:6–7, he predicted that the LORD would destroy Samaria. Here in 1:8–16, he predicted that the LORD would also punish the people in Judah, including Jerusalem. He would punish them by causing an enemy army to invade Judah.

This section has two paragraphs: 1:8–9 and 1:10–16. In the first paragraph, Micah said that he would “lament and wail” (Berean Standard Bible). He described the way that he would mourn and then gave the reason. In the second paragraph, he mentioned several cities in Judah that an enemy army would soon attack on its way to Jerusalem. Some versions have separate section headings for each paragraph. The Notes will include both paragraphs as part of the same section. Here are some other examples of section headings for the entire section (1:8–16):

Lament for Jerusalem and the lowland towns (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Judah Is Doomed (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The Doom of the Cities of Judah (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Micah mourned the disaster that will happen to various cities in Judah

If you choose to use separate section headings for 1:8–9 and 1:10–16, here are some examples for 1:8–9:

Weeping and Mourning (New International Version, Berean Standard Bible)
-or-
Micah’s Great Sadness (New Century Version)

Either the Contemporary English Version or New Revised Standard Version headings above will be appropriate for 1:10–16. Here is another example:

Disaster will happen to various cities in Judah

Paragraph 1:8–9

In this paragraph, Micah described the sadness that he felt because of the disaster that would happen to Samaria (1:8a–c, 9a). Then he described the disaster that would also happen to Judah and Jerusalem (1:9b–c).

In 1:6–7, the LORD was the speaker. But here in 1:8–9, Micah is the speaker. In some languages, it may be helpful to make this explicit. For example:

Then Micah said, “Because of this I will mourn and lament. (Good News Translation)

1:8a

Because of this: This phrase refers back to the LORD’s statement in 1:6–7 that he will punish the people of Samaria severely. For this reason, Micah will lament and wail. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

For this… (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
And so,…
-or-
That is the reason why…

I will lament and wail: Most versions translate these verbs as future tense (will). Here are some other ways to express the meaning of the Hebrew verb tense here:

I lament and wail (New American Bible)
-or-
I must lament and wail (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I have decided to lament and wail

lament and wail: These verbs have almost the same meaning. They both refer to the Jewish custom of weeping in a loud voice and wailing loudly to show their sorrow. Micah used both verbs here to emphasize his sorrow. Here are some other examples of versions that use two similar verbs to express loud mourning:

I will weep and wail (New International Version)
-or-
I shall howl and wail (New Jerusalem Bible)

In some languages, it may be more natural to express this emphasis in a different way. For example:

I will mourn greatly
-or-
I will mourn and mourn

1:8b

I will walk barefoot and naked: This is a symbolic action. Micah said he will walk around barefoot and naked to show that he was very sad. In some languages, it may be helpful to make the meaning of Micah’s actions explicit. For example:

To show my sorrow, I will walk around barefoot and naked. (Good News Translation)

In other languages, it may be appropriate to supply a footnote that clarifies the meaning of the symbolic action. Here is an example:

Micah did this to show how sad he was that the LORD planned to punish his people.

barefoot: In Hebrew, there are two ways to interpret the word barefoot :

(1) It means that Micah would not wear any shoes or sandals on his feet. For example:

I will walk around barefoot (Good News Translation)

(2) It means that Micah would not wear any jewelry or good clothing. For example:

I will go stripped (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries. Here are some other ways to translate barefoot :

I will not wear/use any shoes/sandals
-or-
I will wear nothing on my feet

naked: In Hebrew, there are two ways to interpret the word naked :

(1) It means “to not wear an outer garment” but “to wear only a loincloth.” For example:

I will walk around barefoot and without my outer garments. (NET Bible)

(2) It means “completely naked,” without any clothes. Almost all English versions translate this as “naked.”

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with almost all commentaries.

Here are some other ways to translate interpretation (1):

I will walk around barefoot and wearing only a loincloth.
-or-
I will walk around with no shoes and no shirt or sarong.

1:8c

In 1:8a, Micah said that he would “lament and wail.” Here in 1:8c, he used two similes to compare his lamenting and wailing to the noises made by two kinds of animals: jackals and ostriches. The following note on “howl” applies to both similes.

I will howl: In Hebrew, the word the Berean Standard Bible translates as howl is a noun that is related to the verb “lament” in 1:8a. In some languages, it may be more natural to use a verb here in 1:8c too, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

I will cry loudly… (New Century Version)

like a jackal: In Hebrew, the word jackal is plural. Some versions translate it as plural, others as singular. Translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

A jackal is a wild animal that resembles a wild dog. Jackals often howl at night. If there is no word for jackal in your language, you may be able to use the word for a similar kind of animal that makes a sad/lonely howling noise. For example:

like a wolf (Revised English Bible)
-or-
like the wild dogs (New Century Version)
-or-
like a pack of coyotes/hyenas

and mourn like an ostrich: There are two main ways to interpret the meaning of the Hebrew word for ostrich :

(1) It refers to an ostrich. This very large bird used to be found in Israel but is now found mainly in Africa. For example:

I will…wail like an ostrich. (Good News Translation)

(2) It refers to a kind of owl. For example:

I shall shriek like the owls (New Jerusalem Bible)

TN will follow interpretation (1). You may follow either interpretation. Choose an interpretation that fits the terminology of your language and also has cultural associations with a loud, shrill, or harsh noise. Both interpretations are almost equally supported by translations and commentaries.

Here are some questions to ask in deciding on an interpretation to follow:

• How do the major translations in your area or country translate the name of this bird?

• What birds in your area are known for making loud, shrill, or harsh cries?

Be sure to test your translation carefully for unexpected meanings. For example, in some parts of the world, people believe that owls are a sign (omen) of bad luck or disaster. In such areas, it may be better to refer to a different bird.

Here are some other options for translating jackal or ostrich (or “owls”):

• Borrow words from a language of wider communication. Then supply a footnote that explains the meaning. Here is an example footnote that explains jackals and owls:

In the thinking of the Jews, jackals and owls made loud, sad noises.

• Translate the meaning without using similes. Then supply the similes in a footnote. Here is an example:

I will wail and make sad noises. (Footnote: In Hebrew, it says: I will howl like the jackals and moan loudly like the ostriches.)

If possible, use similes to keep the vividness that these figures of speech conveyed to the original audience.

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